Commencement Speakers

Tiara Taylor will receive her Associate’s Degree for Transfer in Business Administration. She will be pursuing her Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Management or Finance.

Raised in Compton, California, Taylor moved to Moreno Valley not long ago at the age of nineteen. Pursuing higher education, being involved in the community, and taking on an entrepreneurial spirit were values instilled in her from a young age.

Taylor considers herself to be a creative individual and nurtures a deep appreciation for the visual arts, theatre, music, and animation. Taylor is also a fan of storytelling, from fantasy and sci-fi, to horror and comedy. She aspires to create fully realized stories of her own through comics and short films. Her hobbies include drawing, writing, singing, and being a foodie.

She has participated in a variety of extracurriculars and programs including EOPS, UMOJA, ASMVC, College Corps, the National Council of Negro Women, and MovaLearns. She was also a member of various different student-led clubs. Taylor prides herself on being involved in the community and seeks to be an example for her younger siblings as the first child to attend college as she is a heavy believer in being a lifelong learner.

Vincent Do, a Vietnamese-American computer science major, will attend UC San Diego. The son of South Vietnamese immigrants, he developed an early fascination with technology despite limited access to devices, including an old laptop and phone.

Building his own computer in 2022 deepened his understanding and led him to begin taking classes at Moreno Valley College. Through this experience, Do discovered both a passion for computer science and the possibilities it offers.

At the same time, he grappled with his identity, navigating linguistic and cultural barriers while translating between English and Vietnamese for his parents. This sparked questions about belonging and led him on a journey of self-discovery. In that process, he found inspiration in authors such as Viet Thanh Nguyen, Ocean Vuong, and Nguyen Phan Que Mai, whose work helped him embrace self-reflection and acceptance. He developed empathy for others navigating similar experiences and found a voice through writing and poetry.

Do shares, “Like many others, I found comfort in education and encouraged intercultural conversation within our diverse communities.” Through his writing, he continues to explore identity, connection, and the power of storytelling.

As a first-generation student, Alondra Aguiniga's goal is to become a lawyer in order to advocate for those without a voice. At 22 years old, she works full-time while attending Moreno Valley College. Born in West Covina to two immigrant parents, her early education was marked by academic struggle. "I had trouble graduating high school due to divorced parents and unstable homes," she said. "I attended 5 different high schools."

Even so, family remains an important part of her life and as the elder of five children, Aguiniga finds it important to lead by example. She has excelled as an MVC student and as part of the College's Puente Program and is graduating with an associate of science in administration of justice and an associate of arts in social and behavioral sciences.

Her drive to advocate for others is reflected in how she draws inspiration from the world. "I love standing up for others," she said. "I like giving people second chances and I like to see both sides of the story." She hopes, long term, to motivate, inspire and change people's lives for the better. Aguiniga enjoys nature, hikes, helping people, learning new things and having conversations.

A Moreno Valley College Middle College student, Gianine Ariane Nocum Umali is a senior at Orange Vista High School. She was named her high school's valedictorian and Moreno Valley College's 2022 commencement speaker. In addition to graduating from Orange Vista High School, Umali will receive six associate degrees from the College. She will attend the University of California, Irvine in the fall to pursue a degree in game design and interactive media. Her goals include a career in game design, art, and even voice acting. Umali enjoys playing video games, drawing, researching various topics, reading, watching Anime, and hanging out with friends and family.